profdant139 wrote: I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has had both!
I have both at the present time. A 40 ft 5th w and a 34 ft TT. The 40 ft was just two big to go where we wanted to go so now it is set up permanently on my lot in Yuma as a rental. Plus the extra steps in the 5th w are harder on our ageing body's. I prefer a TT as I need the bed of my p/up for many things that I haul. A TT set up properly will tow as well as a 5th w IMHO. I have been towing for well over 50 years
and thousands of miles
The difference is the pivot point. Pulling one or the other should be fine and you shouldn't have any problems pulling TT. I would suggest getting a TT and using it and then upgrade your truck in a couple of years and then upgrade to FW. TT need to be properly setup to work good, you know all that extra stuff on the hitch. Plus, if you know what happens when a big truck passes just slow down or prepare for it. I have never had a TT but I have pulled lots of trailers with loads. Keep safety in mind and take your time. I will just take time to build confidence with TT or FW.
If you can test drive TT with your truck and then use someone else's rig and FW and test drive it. Pulls different but they are both safe.
Having owned a 15 foot TT, a 19 foot TT, and towed a fifth wheel all around the Western states, I would never go back to a TT.
The 32 foot triple slide fifth wheel was a joy to tow, no problems with sway, no concern about having it a little light on the hitch, IMO easier to back up, just all around a better experience.
Yes, I am well aware that a properly built, properly loaded trailer, being towed by the proper tow vehicle, should NOT sway, EVER! No, neither of my TTs had a sway problem, even without a sway control or WD hitch. BUT, I found the fifth wheel to be, overall, much more stable in all weather/road conditions.
IF I get rid of the Class C, I will go back to a fifth wheel (or perhaps a Class A DP), but I will never own another TT.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
When my Reese Strait Line was set up well, I had no problems under any driving conditions including thunderstorms, passing or being passed by any vehicles while driving up to 75mph at times, interstates or 2-lane highways. Towing stability should not be a factor when deciding what type of RV to purchase.
In your case, payload will be a factory even for a larger TT. Stick to under 7000 pounds dry and use a WD hitch with integrated sway control. You'll be happy. Great truck!
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009 2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS 2012 VW Passat TDI
There are a couple other considerations. Most fifth wheels are taller if height is an issue for you. Most fifth wheels also have the bedroom up a couple stairs that some folks don't like or have difficulty climbing. Many consider the flat floor of the TT to be a plus. Fifth wheels also are a little harder to get nearly level for towing. It may require re-positioning the axles to get the height needed to be able to sit level on the hitch in the bed on some of the trucks. In deference, a TT can be adjusted with the hitch for height. If you have a short bed truck, you might need a slider hitch for the fifth to be able to angle enough to back into sites, not an issue for a TT. And perhaps the most important consideration is that FW basically requires a pickup truck while a TT can be towed by a truck, van or SUV. If you are concerned about stability and sway invest in a premium hitch like the ProPride, PullRite or Hensley and sway will be a thing of the past.
Perhaps the best attributes of a fifth wheel are a little higher end interior, usually more/better storage, and a shorter overall length considering both the truck and fifth since part of the fifth overlaps the bed of the truck. If overall length is a huge consideration there is reason to look at a fifth wheel. With the exception of Airstream trailers most fifth wheels seem to cost a little more than a similar length TT. Many full timers choose fifth wheels as their home, not an insignificant endorsement.
* This post was
edited 04/12/12 10:09am by jmtandem *
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
I have had both. I now have a TT. I would own either one and wind etc would not play into my decision as they both tow well, when as i said, setup properly. I dont use any sway control and only use the WD bars to keep from having to hear the flack from the people that dont have a clue that they arent always necessary.
For me I did not like the steps in a 5th wheel. I think both tow well if set up correctly. I like having the cargo space of the truck bed with the TT and I oftern take a small boat loaded on the truck. I could not do that with a 5th wheel.
I have heard people say the 5th wheel is easier to hook up but the TT with an electric tongue jack is pretty easy as well. Lots of vehicles have backup cameras me I use two car antennas with magnets on the bottom and tennis balls on top. If they line up then the trailer hitch is above the ball.
US Army Retired X 2 (Both wife and I)
2012 North Trail TT 30QOK
2005 Dodge deisel 2500 HD, shortbed, 6 speed manual, Equalizer Hitch, Warn Winch, highlift jack, Honda Gen Set, Winona Canoe
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